But Jose Reyes actually had some good news to report Tuesday at Citi Field: The Mets' shortstop didn't hurt himself handing out Christmas gifts to kids.

Reyes, who tore the hamstring tendon in his right leg last season, said he has had no pain after surgery and expects to be 100% by the start of spring training.

"The doctors said I am supposed to be the same Jose Reyes, I should be 100%, I should recover my speed," said Reyes, who was at Citi Field Tuesday for the Mets' annual holiday party for local children. "I don't know if (I am) going to recover it right away, but I am working for that. When I am healthy, I will be able to do the things I did before."

Reyes' recovery is crucial for the Mets, who lost 92 games last year as injuries ravaged their lineup. While the Mets have yet to land a big-name free agent, GM Omar Minaya says he is confident that he can build a contender from the current roster - if it is healthy.

"When we get health back with our players, back to where we started last year, people thought we had a team that was going to contend, not only for the division and for the league championship, but also for the World Series," Minaya said. "We got to get our team healthy and back on the field."

Reyes' injury was a big blow last season.

He was initially put on the disabled list with a calf injury May 26, but had actually frayed his hamstring tendon and it ultimately tore. Three months later, on the verge of a return, Reyes tore his hamstring muscle, a separate injury, as he tried to run.

Reyes said he had no problem with the way the Mets handled his injuries, but admitted he pushed to come back too soon.

The hamstring muscle healed with rest. He had surgery in Dallas to clean out scar tissue from the torn tendon in October.

Reyes, 26, said he has been running 20-yard sprints to build up strength in the leg and get back his running "mechanics," as he rehabilitates the leg about three hours a day.

He plans to start baseball activities on Monday, when he returns to the Dominican Republic.

Reyes hit .279 with two homers, 15 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 36 games last season.

Like Mets fans, Reyes said he was frustrated with 2009. He called it a "lost season," and feels if the team comes back healthy, 2010 will be much better.

"When we have everybody on the field healthy, we are always a contender," Reyes said. "It was a real disappointing season, 10guys injured. It's tough to compete when you have so many injuries. So if we had everybody on the field in the right place, I think we will be a contender."